Posterior pituitary

Last revised by Craig Hacking on 5 Jul 2022

The posterior pituitary (also known as neurohypophysis) is a direct extension from the hypothalamus and does not synthesize any hormones, but rather releases oxytocin and ADH (vasopressin) which has traveled down the infundibulum in vesicles termed Herring bodies. The cell bodies reside into hypothalamic nuclei: 

The infundibular stalk is also considered part of the neurohypophysis and extends from the tuber cinereum and pierces the diaphragma sellae before being surrounded by the pars tuberalis of the anterior pituitary.  

For relations and blood supply, please see the main pituitary gland article here.

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